7 Ways You're Drinking Champagne Wrong

Champagne, sparkling wine, bubbly—whatever you call it, most people can agree that it ranks high on the drinkable scale. But are you imbibing the good great stuff the *right* way? (Yes, there is such a thing.) We talked to winemaker Pauline Lhote to figure out how to make most of those bubbles and drink like a pro.

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You're Pouring It Straight

You're Trying to Get Turnt

Sorry to break it to you—but sparkling wines and champagnes have a lower alcohol content than regular wine. Meaning: Great for dinner parties, bad for goin' up on a Tuesday. (Unless you, you know, are pacing yourself.)

You're Saving It for Something *Special*

"Sparkling wines should not only be reserved for a big occasion," says Lhote. "Drink it casually!" So bust that bottle out—especially since studies show that if you drink it three times a week, you are less likely to develop dementia.

You're Only Serving It in Fancy Flutes

"Sparkling does not have to be drunk from a flute," assures Lhote. "You can drink it in any glass you want: in a coupe, in a wine glass, in a soda glass." There's something kinda cool about drinking prosecco out of a tumbler—give it a try.

You're Serving It Only at Cocktail Hour or For Dessert

"Sparkling wine is very versatile," says Lhote. "You can pair it with just as many foods as regular wine—if not more than!"

You Think of It as a "Sweet" Drink

Nah, son. Sparkling wines come in a wide variety, from dry to sweet.

You're Calling It Champagne, Like, All the Time

Here's the thing: While us normals might call anything that has alcohol, bubbles, and a slightly golden tone "Champagne," it's actually a designation of sparkling wine—as in, it's only made in the Champagne region of France. Many sparkling wines exist and are made throughout the world, including Chandon—which is made using the same method as Champagne and even with the same grape variety, they're just grown in California. There's also Prosecco, which uses a super quick procedure invented in Italy for the *bubbles*, and then cheap sparkling wines which are made with gas injection. And—yes—there's even rosé sparkling wine.